The taxi that thinks it’s a private jet
Interesting to see pictures of this unusual London taxi. It may look like an ordinary black Mercedes Viano from the outside, but inside it’s being described as ‘the taxi that thinks its a private jet’.
The vehicle has been converted by The Luxury Mobile Office Company, and they are expecting to appeal to business professionals who are looking to work as they travel, in privacy and comfort.
It’s not hard to see the connection. With cream leather seating, a retractable meeting table, onboard fridge and latest communication technology, it offers the ultimate VIP interior. The soundproofing and blacked out windows (which can be whited out from the inside also) give a similar sense of privacy and confidentiality to the private jet experience.
The cabin has the feel of a Phenom 100 small jet in terms of its spacing and club 4 seat configuration. But it also brings to mind the interior of a S-76 Sikorsky helicopter, which is slightly wide than a small jet. This is one of the most expensive, luxury VIP helicopters available for charter.
The connection between taxis and private jets is very clear to us here at PrivateFly. To those new to the industry, I often compare private jet charter to a taxi. It’s all about bespoke, flexible transport and creating an itinerary that fits around the customer – rather than the train or bus experience of an airline flight.
Private jet customers also use taxis to reach the airport and one of our partners is London’s largest minicab company Addison Lee. Together we offer their clients a seamless travel experience from driveway to runway – and from booking to airborne in 90 minutes (our record is 40 minutes). Addison Lee has many parallels to PrivateFly actually – both disrupting a traditional industry through new technology. I’m very impressed with their app, it’s the only way to book a cab in London for me now.
Of course for the ultimate in driveway to runway efficiency, you wouldn’t get out of the car at all. Just push a button and turn it into a plane. It might sound like something out of James Bond, but a flying car is in development and expected to launch in 2015 or 2016. More on that coming soon…
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